MOUNTAIN SHEEP. 301 



within a few yards of me without the least suspicion, although 

 I was otherwise entirely unconcealed. 



I am inclined to think that wild animals and birds judge 

 by the outline far more than by the colour of any object, and 

 immediately detect any change in the shape of an accustomed 

 rock or bush ; and hence it is so difficult to look over your 

 place of ambush without being immediately discovered. 

 Variations of colour alarm them much less, because all objects 

 are perpetually changing their colour according as they are 

 wet or dry, in sunshine or in shade. In wild-fowl shooting 

 I have often observed that when placed even in front of a 

 bush, I am not seen by the birds in the evening, but that, 

 however dark it may be, they take alarm if I show the 

 smallest part of my cap above the bush. 



A Highland shepherd leads, or ought to lead, a most active 

 life. If he perform his duty zealously, he has little time for 

 idleness, for on a mountain sheep farm every season of the 

 year demands constant attention and activity. Sheep have 

 sometimes an obstinate preference for those parts of their 

 pasturing ground which the shepherd particularly wishes to 

 reserve for another part of the year. The fresh green grass 

 which ought to be their food for the winter is equally 

 attractive in the earlier part of the year ; and they require to 

 be constantly driven away from the tempting spots. Moun- 

 tain sheep, when they have once found out a favourite piece 

 of feeding-ground, be it grass or even the shepherd's own bit 

 of oats, are most determined marauders. Although they are 

 always ready, conscious of their guilt, to fly at the first distant 

 appearance of the shepherd or his dog, they are equally eager 

 to return the moment that the coast is clear. A skilful 

 shepherd will always endeavour to make such arrangements 

 as shall secure good feeding for his flock at all seasons. On 

 the green banks of many mountain streams these animals can 

 find food when the higher grounds are white with snow. 

 There are long green stretches of this kind on the upper part 

 of the Findhorn, enlivening with their brightness the dreary 

 brown mountains of the Monaghleahd, through which the 

 river flows. A certain portion of the heather should be burnt 

 every season, so as to produce a fresh supply of young and 

 tender shoots. On these fresh patches all animals delight to 

 feed. The red deer comes from the far-off corries, where he 

 has lain in quiet, rest, and solitude, to graze on the short, 

 sweet plants of the young heather which spring up the first 

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